Pune vs Rajasthan, 13th Match

That is all from us here. Join us tomorrow for the match between Delhi and Hyderabad from the Kotla. Bye Bye!

Presentation Ceremony:

Finch: "We knew we had to get off to a good start. This wicket was going to get slower as the game progressed. Uthappa's blazing 32 set the game nicely for us. We sat down and had a chat with the coach regarding our approach. The bowlers did a great job to pull things back after the partnership between Dravid and Rahane."

Aaron Finch is the MoM for his knock of 64 off 53 balls.

Mathews: "We needed this win badly. We were good on the field and the bowlers bowled well at the end. The aggressive approach paid off in the batting. We have worked hard in the training sessions. We backed Finch and he did a brilliant job. We were a bit too cautious in the first two games but we were aggressive today."

Dravid: "We kept losing wickets and we could not accelerate at the right time. We lost Rahane, Binny and myself at crucial times. We were 15 runs short but the Pune openers started off wonderfully. A couple of boys played against Finch and we had information on him. There are four-five power players in their top order and they clicked today. We have to learn from our mistakes."

Uthappa: "We needed this win. It was important to get off the mark. We had to keep calm and the whole team stuck around. Allan Donald has done a wonderful job and he has boosted our morale. Franchise cricket has pressure and he has not allowed it to get to us. We have been spending some time in this wicket and we have got the measure of it. It is a good wicket once you get used to it. I was pleased to get the team off to a good start and we shed our apprehensions."

Robin Uthappa and Aaron Finch gave Pune a whirlwind start as they notched up the fifty partnership in just 22 balls. Uthappa departed thanks to a brilliant one-handed catch from Dravid but Finch carried on the good work. His steady partnership with Ross Taylor ensured that Pune suffered no hiccups and Yuvraj Singh finished the deal towards the end. For Rajasthan, barring James Faulkner and Kevon Cooper, the rest of the bowlers were carted around. This has been a memorable New Year gift for Pune and their fans.

18.4 Sreesanth to Yuvraj, SIX, Pune's nightmare has finally ended, Sreesanth dishes out a full toss on middle, Yuvraj clouts it well back into the stands at deep mid wicket to give Pune victory by seven wickets, their 11 match losing streak has finally been snapped

18.3 Sreesanth to Yuvraj, no run, full and straight ball on middle and off, driven to mid off

18.2 Sreesanth to Yuvraj, FOUR, BAM! Full ball just outside off, Yuvraj does not have much of a bat followthrough as he blasts it flat to long off for a classy boundary

18.1 Sreesanth to Yuvraj, no run, full and slow ball on middle, Yuvraj defends it back to the bowler

17.5 Kevon Cooper to Mathews, 1 run, fuller length ball just outside off, Mathews eases it to long on

17.4 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, 1 run, another yorker length ball on middle, Yuvraj gets the bat down in time and stabs it to long off

17.3 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, no run, full ball on middle and off, Yuvraj jabs it to short extra cover

17.2 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, FOUR, good length ball on leg stump, Yuvraj closes the bat face and uses the pace as he glances it to the fine leg fence

17.1 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, no run, fuller length ball angled across outside off, Yuvraj looks to steer it down to third man but misses it

Kevon Cooper [3.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack

Angelo Mathews, right handed bat, comes to the crease

This has been a good spell from Faulkner. 4-0-18-2. However, he has not had support from the other bowlers.

16.6 Faulkner to Finch, out Bowled!! Faulkner ends his spell in style. Full ball speared across on middle, Finch is rooted to the crease as he looks to cream the drive down the ground, gets an inside edge that knocks the middle and leg stump out of the ground. Finch b Faulkner 64(53) [4s-6 6s-3]

Faulkner to Finch, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

16.5 Faulkner to Yuvraj, 1 run, good length slower delivery on leg stump, Yuvraj nudges it to short mid wicket

16.4 Faulkner to Finch, 1 run, full ball just outside off, Finch drives it back to Faulkner who cannot stop it on his followthrough, it rolls to mid on

16.3 Faulkner to Finch, no run, Faulkner spears this yorker across outside off, Finch squeezes it out to point

16.2 Faulkner to Finch, no run, back of a length delivery just outside off, Finch punches it to mid on

16.2 Faulkner to Finch, wide, this length delivery is down the leg side as Finch misses out on the leg side tickle, wide signalled

Final Time-Out of the day! Pune are close to snapping up their 11 match losing streak. Rajasthan need a miracle.

15.6 Trivedi to Finch, 1 run, back of a length delivery and Trivedi again rolls his fingers over that delivery, Finch pats it back to Trivedi who is lethargic in diving to his right, the ball goes past him and rolls to deep mid on

15.5 Trivedi to Yuvraj, 1 run, short ball just outside off, Yuvraj short-arm swats it to long leg, it goes on the bounce to Harmeet who moves to his left to stop it

15.4 Trivedi to Finch, 1 run, Finch makes room and Trivedi follows him with a short ball on leg stump, Finch adjusts and bunts it to long on

14.4 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, 1 run, pitched up delivery and angling across outside off, Yuvraj goes for the drive and gets an outside edge to third man

14.3 Kevon Cooper to Finch, 1 run, fuller length ball just outside off, Finch clears the front leg and thumps it to long on

14.2 Kevon Cooper to Yuvraj, 1 run, superb ball from Cooper, he spears in the yorker on middle, Yuvraj gets the bat down in time and jams it to mid wicket

14.1 Kevon Cooper to Finch, 1 run, fuller length ball just outside off, Finch drills it to long off

Kevon Cooper [2.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

13.6 Trivedi to Yuvraj, no run, full ball on middle, Yuvraj defends it to mid off

13.5 Trivedi to Yuvraj, no run, back of a length delivery and it shoots through a bit low on middle, Yuvraj again gets a leading edge that rolls to mid off

13.4 Trivedi to Finch, 1 run, good ball from Trivedi, short of length and it straightens, it rears up from the deck as Finch jabs it to cover

13.3 Trivedi to Yuvraj, 1 run, this off-cutter is on leg stump, Yuvraj tucks it to square leg to get off the mark

13.2 Trivedi to Yuvraj, no run, good length ball and it skids through, Yuvraj looks to nudge it to mid wicket and gets a leading edge to point

13.1 Trivedi to Finch, 1 run, run-out chance missed, good length ball on middle, Finch taps it back to Trivedi who misfields, he then decides to take the quick single as the ball rolls to mid on, Sachin Baby runs across from mid off and has a shy at the bowler's end, Finch has given up but Sachin baby fails to hit the stumps at the bowler's end, Finch was a goner if that had hit

Siddharth Trivedi [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Faulkner to Yuvraj, no run, Yuvraj charges down the track as Faulkner drags it short outside off, Yuvraj cross-bats it to mid on

12.5 Faulkner to Yuvraj, no run, this short delivery zips through on leg stump, Yuvraj is beaten for pace as he looks to work it to mid wicket

12.4 Faulkner to Yuvraj, no run, short ball and it darts back in, Yuvraj looks to glance it to fine leg but it thuds into the front thigh pad, Finch wants the single but is sent back

12.3 Faulkner to Finch, 1 run, fuller length ball just outside off, Finch squeezes the drive with an angled bat to deep point

12.2 Faulkner to Finch, no run, good length ball on middle, it is the back of the hand slower delivery as Finch taps it back to the bowler

12.1 Faulkner to Finch, FOUR, sublime timing from Finch, full ball just outside off, Finch smokes the drive to the long off fence

James Faulkner [2.0-0-9-1] is back into the attack

11.6 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, out Caught by Hodge!! Superb catch by Hodge and Harmeet gets his first wicket in the Indian T20 League. Slow and short delivery on middle, Taylor rocks back and has ample time to deposit the pull shot anywhere out of Pune, however, the lack of pace means that Taylor cannot generate the power, he pulls it to deep mid wicket where Hodge times his leap perfectly, he takes the catch over his head with two hands and maintains his balance inside the ropes. Ross Taylor c Hodge b Harmeet Singh 17(20) [6s-1]

Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

11.5 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, tough to call that a dropped catch, tossed up delivery on leg stump, Taylor is beaten in the flight as he goes for the drive and gets an inside edge, it hits Perera on the pad

11.4 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, Taylor moves away to the on side, Harmeet again bowls this delivery very slow on middle, Taylor mistimes it back to the bowler

11.3 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, 2 runs, Harmeet gets this delivery to break away slowly outside off, Taylor has to wait for it and he slaps it to sweeper cover for a brace

11.2 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, SIX, he connects this time though, flighted delivery but too full outside off, Taylor latches onto it and clouts the slog sweep to the deep mid wicket fence, 100th six in this year's Indian T20 League

11.1 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, tossed up delivery and spinning away outside off, Taylor walks to the off side and attempts the slog sweep, misses it

Harmeet Singh [3.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack

10.6 Kevon Cooper to Finch, no run, yorker length ball just outside off, Finch digs it back to the bowler

10.5 Kevon Cooper to Finch, SIX, brilliant way to get to his maiden Indian T20 League fifty, short ball and on leg stump, Finch latches onto it and heaves it well back into the stands at long leg, superb knock from him

10.4 Kevon Cooper to Finch, no run, full ball angled in on the off stump, Finch drives it back to the bowler

10.3 Kevon Cooper to Ross Taylor, 1 run, short of length ball just outside off, Taylor flays the cut to third man

10.2 Kevon Cooper to Finch, 1 run, Cooper floats this slower delivery generously outside off, it is too full and Finch pats it to mid off

9.6 Trivedi to Finch, 2 runs, back of a length delivery just outside off, Finch uses his wrists nicely and works it into the gap at mid wicket for a couple

9.5 Trivedi to Ross Taylor, 1 run, good length ball on middle and off, Taylor prods forward and eases it to long on

9.4 Trivedi to Finch, 1 run, short of length ball just outside off, Finch swats it to long on

9.3 Trivedi to Finch, no run, Finch backs away to the on side and Trivedi gets this good length delivery to zip through just outside the leg stump, Finch looks to drive it but misses and Perera takes it nicely

9.2 Trivedi to Ross Taylor, 1 run, good length ball but he fires it in on the pads, Taylor flicks it to fine leg

9.1 Trivedi to Ross Taylor, no run, back of a length delivery outside off, Taylor pats it to backward point

8.6 Harmeet Singh to Finch, 2 runs, short ball just outside off, Finch square cuts it hard to deep point where Hodge fumbles and gifts them a couple

8.5 Harmeet Singh to Finch, no run, this delivery is slow and short outside off, it spins away as Finch rocks back and mauls it to short extra cover, but Sachin Baby the substitute stops it well by diving to his right

8.4 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, 1 run, Taylor walks to the off side and Harmeet bowls it quicker just outside off, Taylor knocks it to deep cover

8.3 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, this delivery spins away from a short of length outside off, extra bounce on that delivery as Taylor cuts it to backward point

8.2 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, once again Harmeet gives this delivery a lot more air-time outside off, Taylor waits for it and pushes it to cover

8.1 Harmeet Singh to Ross Taylor, no run, loopy delivery and bowled really slower through the air, Taylor taps it to point

Harmeet Singh [2.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack

A slip in place for Harmeet.

Time for the Time-out! Pune are making wonderful progress. Finch is looking in great touch and the Rajasthan bowlers seemed to have the wind knocked out of their sails.

7.6 Trivedi to Finch, 2 runs, short of length ball on the off stump and it stays a bit low, Finch hacks it into the gap at cover for a couple

7.5 Trivedi to Finch, no run, good length ball and straight on middle, Finch defends it back to the bowler

7.4 Trivedi to Finch, FOUR, magnificent shot from Finch, short in length and wide outside off, Finch frees his arms and crashes the square cut past backward point for an easy boundary

7.3 Trivedi to Finch, no run, short ball on middle and off, Finch plays it late and chops it to backward point where Rahane moves in quickly

7.2 Trivedi to Finch, FOUR, Trivedi errs in line though, short of length ball but too straight on leg stump, Finch helps it along the way by clipping it to the long leg fence

Kushal Janith Perera is standing upto the stumps now.

7.2 Trivedi to Finch, wide, Finch walks down the track but Trivedi slides this length delivery down the leg side, Finch misses the leg glance and wide is signalled

7.1 Trivedi to Ross Taylor, 1 run, good length ball and it straightens on the off stump, Taylor looks to nudge it to mid wicket and gets a leading edge that rolls to point, Rahane dives to his right but parries it away as they take the single

Siddharth Trivedi, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

6.6 Faulkner to Finch, no run, Faulkner gets this short delivery to climb up outside off, Finch rides the bounce and cracks it to backward point

6.5 Faulkner to Ross Taylor, 1 run, this short ball spits up just outside off, Taylor watches the ball carefully and rides the bounce as he fends it to the leg side

6.4 Faulkner to Finch, 1 run, good length ball and on leg stump, Finch gets an inside edge onto the pad as it rolls away to fine leg

6.3 Faulkner to Finch, no run, short ball and it zips through outside off, Finch goes for the pull but fails to make contact

6.2 Faulkner to Finch, no run, full ball on off stump, driven to short extra cover

6.1 Faulkner to Ross Taylor, 1 run, short in length delivery slanted across outside off, Taylor slashes hard at it and the ball rolls to third man off the outside edge

5.6 Kevon Cooper to Finch, no run, good change of pace from Cooper, it is the off-cutter and he lands it on a good length, Finch closes the bat face as he nudges it to square leg

5.5 Kevon Cooper to Ross Taylor, 1 run, full and straight ball on the off stump, Taylor whippily clips it to mid on for a quick single

5.4 Kevon Cooper to Finch, leg byes, 1 run, length ball speared in on leg stump, Finch looks to heave it to square leg and the ball rolls off the front thigh pad

5.3 Kevon Cooper to Finch, no run, back of a length delivery and it cuts back in on leg stump, Finch tries to work it to mid wicket but loses his balance slightly as the ball hits him on the pad

5.2 Kevon Cooper to Finch, FOUR, inside edged but safe, the luck is with Pune today, full ball and it skids through on middle, Finch looks to force it to mid off and gets an inside edge that misses leg stump, it goes away to the fine leg fence

5.1 Kevon Cooper to Finch, no run, full pitched ball on off stump, Finch drives it back to the bowler

Kevon Cooper, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

4.6 Faulkner to Ross Taylor, no run, another back of the hand slower delivery outside off, it is full and outside off as Taylor pats it to cover

Ross Taylor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

4.5 Faulkner to Uthappa, out Caught by Dravid!! Stunning catch from the Wall. Good length ball outside off, Uthappa stays on the front foot and attempts the heave over mid wicket, the ball hits the inside half of the bat and he does not generate enough power, Dravid at mid wicket stretches out his right hand and takes a wonderful catch as he tumbles, superb stuff from the veteran. Uthappa c Dravid b Faulkner 32(16) [4s-3 6s-2]

Faulkner to Uthappa, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

4.4 Faulkner to Finch, 1 run, fuller length ball outside off, Finch drives it to mid off and Kevon Cooper dives to his right to stop it

4.3 Faulkner to Finch, FOUR, CRUNCH! Awesome batting this. Faulkner comes round the wicket and floats a full delivery just outside off, Finch carves it over extra cover for a boundary, he did not time it too well but he hit that hard

4.2 Faulkner to Uthappa, 1 run, the back of the hand slower delivery from Faulkner, he lands it on a good length just outside off, Uthappa lunges forward and pushes it to cover point

4.1 Faulkner to Finch, 1 leg bye, good length ball on leg stump, Finch looks to heave it to mid wicket but gets hit on the pad as they sneak a leg bye

James Faulkner, comes into the attack

17 runs in Harmeet's over and now 21 runs in Sreesanth's over. Rajasthan are just been blown away here.

3.6 Sreesanth to Uthappa, no run, short in length delivery just outside off, Uthappa taps it to cover point, 21 runs in the over from Sreesanth and Pune are just blazing along here

If my memory serves me right, this is only the second time in the history of the Indian T20 League that a free-hit has been deposited for a six.

3.5 Sreesanth to Finch, 1 run, back of a length delivery just outside off, Finch punches it to mid on

3.4 Sreesanth to Uthappa, 1 run, good length ball just outside off, Uthappa dabs it to point and the fielder misfields, the fifty partnership is up in the blink of an eye

3.3 Sreesanth to Uthappa, SIX, Uthappa takes full toll of it, a juicy full toss on leg stump, Uthappa helps it along the way by hoicking it to the long leg fence, 71 meters was the distance

3.3 Sreesanth to Uthappa, no ball, FOUR, things keep getting bad for Sreesanth, fuller length ball just outside off, Uthappa presents the high elbow and creams the drive wide of the mid off fielder for a boundary, Sreesanth has also overstepped, free-hit is coming up

3.2 Sreesanth to Uthappa, 2 runs, low full toss just outside off, Uthappa clips it to long leg and it takes a full length dive from Kevon Cooper to his right to keep it down to a couple

3.1 Sreesanth to Uthappa, SIX, stand and deliver stuff from Uthappa, Sreesanth drags it slightly short in length just outside off, Uthappa walks down the track and slams it high over the ropes at long on, this is clean hitting of the highest calibre

2.6 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, 1 run, flatter delivery on the off stump, Uthappa prods forward and pats it to short mid wicket, 17 runs in that over from Harmeet, torrid start for the young bowler in the Indian T20 League

2.5 Harmeet Singh to Finch, 1 run, quicker ball and it goes on with the arm, Finch pushes at it and gets an inside edge to backward square leg, Sreesanth fires the throw to Harmeet but Finch has made it with the dive

2.4 Harmeet Singh to Finch, SIX, WHAM! Another monstrous hit from Finch. Tossed up delivery and bowled slower through the air, Finch sashays down the track and gets to the pitch as he wallops it way back into the stands at long on

2.3 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, 1 run, flighted delivery and bowled slower through the air outside off, Uthappa drives it to long off

2.2 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, FOUR, action replay of the previous delivery, Harmeet is not learning from his mistake, short ball again and it sits up nicely, Uthappa goes back and pummels the pull to the deep mid wicket fence, one bounce over the ropes

2.1 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, FOUR, poor ball from Harmeet, short ball on middle, Uthappa has ample time to rock back and club the pull shot to the deep mid wicket fence

1.6 Sreesanth to Finch, SIX, BOOM! That has been hammered by Finch. Length delivery and in the slot on middle, Finch cleanly swings through the line like a golfer and he mauls it over the ropes at long on

1.5 Sreesanth to Finch, no run, short of a good length ball and zipping through just outside off, Finch again makes a bit of room as he looks to power it through extra cover but misses it

1.4 Sreesanth to Finch, no run, Sreesanth keeps it full and gets it to zip through on middle, Finch looks to hoick it through mid wicket and gets an inside edge onto the front pad, Sreesanth aborts his attempted LBW appeal

1.3 Sreesanth to Finch, no run, short of length ball outside off, Finch chops it to cover point

1.2 Sreesanth to Uthappa, 1 run, fuller length ball on off stump, Uthappa drives it to mid on where Siddharth Trivedi misfields

1.1 Sreesanth to Uthappa, no run, pitched up delivery and close to the off stump, Uthappa drives it to mid on

S Sreesanth, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

Ravichandran Ashwin, on twitter: Looking forward to seeing Harmeet singh bowl. Finch has also been very good in the big bash. Should be an exciting contest!

0.6 Harmeet Singh to Finch, no run, flatter delivery and keeping it on middle, Finch bunts it to mid on

0.5 Harmeet Singh to Finch, no run, appeal for a stumping but the third umpire is not interested, Harmeet bowls this delivery with a pause and floats it on leg stump, Finch misses out on the drive but misses it, Kushal Janith Perera whips the bails off but Finch's back foot was behind the crease

0.4 Harmeet Singh to Finch, FOUR, tossed up delivery on middle, Finch latches onto it by bending the back leg and shovelling it to the deep backward square leg fence

0.3 Harmeet Singh to Finch, no run, Finch gives himself a lot of room even before the ball is bowled, Harmeet bowls it quick and straight on middle, Finch creams it uppishly to cover and it lands in front of Kevon Cooper

0.3 Harmeet Singh to Finch, wide, quicker ball but he bowls it down the leg side, Finch attempts the sweep but misses it

Harmeet Singh was one of the star performers for the India U-19 team in the recent World Cup in Australia.

0.2 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, 1 run, flatter delivery and he drags it short on the middle and leg stump, Uthappa moves back and works it to mid wicket

0.1 Harmeet Singh to Uthappa, no run, tossed up delivery and it straightens just outside off, Uthappa gets forward and taps it to point

Uthappa and Finch are at the crease. Uthappa is on strike. Harmeet Singh will open the attack

A slip in place as Harmeet Singh opens up.

We are all set for the chase. The last time Pune tasted victory was against Delhi at the Kotla last year. Since then, they have lost 11 games on the bounce. Can they snap their losing streak today?

Rahane: "I think it's a decent total. We discusesed about it earlier. The wicket is slightly on the slower side. We want some early wickets Dravid's a legend and we want him to bat well throughout the tournament. You have to adapt to sitautions. We knew that our partnership was crucial and we talked about it. We have to bowl wicket to wicket."

Pune will be happy with the way the first half has gone. 146 does not seem a big target on this track. There is some assistance for pace and spin alike but nothing alarming. Dravid's fifty was key for Rajasthan getting to this total. Unfortunately they could not finish as well as they would have liked on a track that is slowing down. The chase begins shortly. Do stay tuned

19.6 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, leg byes, 1 run, muted appeal turned down. It was the slower one again, Hodge tries the pull but is hit high on the thigh. They take a quick single to finish the innings

19.5 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, FOUR, Bhuvneshwar continues to keep the ball well outside off. Hodge was expecting that and he carves it neatly past a diving Yuvraj to the backward point fence now

19.4 Bhuvneshwar to Faulkner, 1 run, full and on the middle and leg, Faulkner makes room to loft but can only get it down to long on

19.3 Bhuvneshwar to Faulkner, FOUR, Faulkner gets into the act now. This was a slower one from Bhuvneshwar but a little too full. Faulkner swings it neatly in the gap between deep mid wicket and long on

19.2 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, 1 run, slightly slower and outside off, Hodge cuts to short third man and sprints for a sharp single

19.1 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, FOUR, struck with immense power by Hodge that. There was a lot of width outside off and Hodge frees his arms to send the ball thudding into the point fence

18.6 Dinda to Faulkner, no run, in the blockhole outside off again, Faulkner walks across to try and paddle but is late on the shot and it takes the pad before rolling to point. That ends a very good over from Dinda. Just 4 off it

18.5 Dinda to Hodge, 1 run, yorker legnth outside off once more, Hodge opens the face and carves it on the offside but straight to the fielder at sweeper cover

18.4 Dinda to Faulkner, 1 run, full and outside off, Faulkner swings out again but can only get it along the ground to long on

18.3 Dinda to Faulkner, no run, very good bowling this. Right in the blockhole again. Faulkner jams it out but only down the track and to Dinda

18.2 Dinda to Hodge, 1 run, full and tailing in a touch, Hodge clears his foot and drills it wide of deep mid wicket now

18.1 Dinda to Faulkner, 1 run, very full and outside off, Faulkner can only jam it into the ground and get it down to long on for one

Ashok Dinda [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

17.6 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, FOUR, that should please Hodge a lot. He sees another full delivery outside off and slashes hard. Ross Taylor at sweeper cover overran the ball and concedes a boundary. That one should have been stopped

17.5 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, no run, Bhuvneshwar keeps it very full outside off. Hodge thinks that is a wide but Erasmus disagrees. Quite a tight call that

17.4 Bhuvneshwar to Faulkner, 1 run, width outside off again, Faulkner slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge down to third man

17.4 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, 2 wides, Bhuvneshwar goes full and way outside off. The keeper fumbles as well and concedes an extra run

17.3 Bhuvneshwar to Hodge, no run, Bhuvneshwar brings out the slower one now, Hodge tries to force it on the offside but gets a bottom edge to the keeper

17.2 Bhuvneshwar to Faulkner, 1 run, very full and outside off now, Faulkner jams it wide of point for a quick single

17.1 Bhuvneshwar to Faulkner, SIX, easy pickings for Faulkner. A full toss from Bhuvneshwar as he searches for a yorker. Faulkner gets up tall and smashes it into the crowd over long on

Bhuvneshwar Kumar [2.0-0-13-1] is back into the attack

16.6 Mathews to Faulkner, 1 run, full and in the blockhole, Faulkner jams it out again, this time to long on

16.5 Mathews to Faulkner, no run, slow cutter on the off, Faulkner pushes it down the track and back to Mathews

16.3 Mathews to Faulkner, 1 run, right in the blockhole now outside off, Faulkner jams it out through mid off for one

16.2 Mathews to Faulkner, 2 runs, angled in, Faulkner stands up tall and turns it through mid wicket for two

16.1 Mathews to Hodge, 1 run, full and on the middle and leg, Hodge flicks it firmly down to depe backward square leg

Angelo Mathews [3.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack

15.6 Rahul Sharma to Faulkner, no run, sliding on outside off, Faulkner tries to dab it in the third man area but misses

James Faulkner, right handed bat, comes to the crease

15.5 Rahul Sharma to Dishant Yagnik, out Caught by Suman!! That looked quite silly. Yagnik went way outside off to try and paddle. He got a top edge on that one before overbalancing and falling down. It does not go to fine leg where he intended it to but straight to short third man instead. Yagnik walks off with a slight limp. Dishant Yagnik c Suman b Rahul Sharma 12(8) [4s-2]

Rahul Sharma to Dishant Yagnik, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

15.4 Rahul Sharma to Hodge, 1 run, some room outside off, Hodge leans back and dabs it in front of short third man for a quick single

15.3 Rahul Sharma to Dishant Yagnik, 1 run, sliding on on the middle and leg, Yagnik works it through square leg again for one

15.2 Rahul Sharma to Dishant Yagnik, no run, sliding on outside off from over the wicket, Yagnik opens the face of the bat late to try to run it down to third man but misses

15.1 Rahul Sharma to Dishant Yagnik, 2 runs, floated up outside off, Yagnik works it off his pads through square leg and comes back for two

14.6 Yuvraj to Dishant Yagnik, 1 run, tossed up on the leg, Yagnik reaches out and works it softly through square leg for one more

14.5 Yuvraj to Dishant Yagnik, FOUR, good batting now. It was a tossed up delivery on the leg, Yagnik switches over and smashes the reverse sweep hard to the point fence

14.4 Yuvraj to Dishant Yagnik, no run, floated up and outside off, Yagnik presses forward and pushes it down the track

14.3 Yuvraj to Dishant Yagnik, FOUR, sliding on outside off, Yagnik opens the face of the bat very late and guides it down to the third man fence. Fine way to get off the mark

Dishant Yagnik, left handed bat, comes to the crease

14.2 Yuvraj to Dravid, out Caught by Ross Taylor!! Yuvraj gets his 2nd, ending Dravid's fine innings. This was a half-tracker. It was sliding on too. Dravid makes room and smashes it hard through cover but Taylor sticks out his left hand and grabs it. Excellent catch that. He has a wry smile on his face, suggesting he's lucky that it stuck! Dravid c Ross Taylor b Yuvraj 54(48) [4s-8]

Yuvraj to Dravid, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

14.1 Yuvraj to Hodge, 1 run, sliding on outside off, Hodge chops it wide of point for one

13.6 Mathews to Hodge, 1 run, slow cutter on the off, Hodge opens the face of the bat late and drops it in front of point for one more

13.5 Mathews to Dravid, 1 run, pitched up and outside off, Dravid makes little room and drills it down to sweeper cover

13.4 Mathews to Hodge, 1 run, full and outside off, Hodge drills it down to long off

13.3 Mathews to Hodge, no run, catch dropped by Mathews. Quite a simple one at that. Mathews sets high fielding standards. It was a full, slower delivery. Hodge closed the face of the bat too early and gets a soft leading edge. Mathews sticks his right hand out but does not cling on

13.2 Mathews to Hodge, no run, full and slow one on the off, Hodge reaches out to turn it to mid wicket

13.1 Mathews to Dravid, 1 run, Mathews keeps it right in the blockhole, Dravid jams it out and gets it down to long off

Angelo Mathews [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack

12.6 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, pitched up again, Dravid punches it along the ground and down to long on

12.5 Yuvraj to Hodge, 1 run, full and on the leg, Hodge sweeps it wide of deep backward square leg for one more

12.4 Yuvraj to Hodge, no run, slow through the air and outside off, Hodge defends it softly in front of cover point. Dravid does not want a quick single

12.3 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, sliding on outside off, Dravid punches it hard and down to long off

Brad Hodge, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.2 Yuvraj to Binny, out Caught by Mitchell Marsh!! Binny does not last long. He never looked comfortable out in the middle in his short stay. This time he comes down the track to a tossed up delivery, does not get to the pitch but continues with the lofted shot. There was no power behind that and Marsh takes a simple catch at long on. Binny c Mitchell Marsh b Yuvraj 1(4)

Yuvraj to Binny, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

12.2 Yuvraj to Binny, wide, sliding on but down the legside too, called a wide rightly

12.1 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, sliding on outside off, Dravid punches it down to long off for just a single. That brings up Dravid's 9th fifty in the Indian T20 league and his 2nd of the season

Yuvraj Singh [2.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack

Tweet from @CricketNerdist: Drahane is very similar to Pondulkar - one retired great #3 and one young Indian batsman finding his way in international cricket.

11.6 Rahul Sharma to Binny, no run, full and on the middle and leg, Binny paddles it straight to the fielder at short fine leg

11.5 Rahul Sharma to Dravid, 1 run, slightly short, Dravid drags the pull down to long on for a single

11.4 Rahul Sharma to Binny, 1 run, floated up, Binny comes down the track and chips it dangerously in front of long off

11.3 Rahul Sharma to Binny, no run, very loud appeal straightaway. Looked a good one too but Erasmus turns it down. This was sliding on straight, Binny presses forward to defend but is struck high on the pad in front of middle. Height was the only concern there

Stuart Binny, right handed bat, comes to the crease

11.2 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, out Caught by Mathews!! Very good cricket all around. Rahane skipped down the track and made room to drive it hard through cover. He does not keep it down despite middling it. Mathews flings himself to his right and takes a sharp chance at extra cover. Rahane c Mathews b Rahul Sharma 30(27) [4s-3]

Rahul Sharma to Rahane, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

11.1 Rahul Sharma to Dravid, 1 run, sliding on on the off, Dravid jumps down the track and punches it hard to long on

Rahul Sharma [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

10.6 Mathews to Dravid, 1 run, full and straight now, Dravid punches it hard and gets it down to long on

10.5 Mathews to Dravid, 2 runs, another shot that coule have gained Dravid a boundary. This was punched on the up without inhibition. Suman races across from long on and makes the stop

10.4 Mathews to Dravid, no run, slower one once more from Mathews. Dravid gets a thick inside edge on this one to mid wicket

10.3 Mathews to Dravid, FOUR, Dravid continues to bat with a lot of flair. This was a slow cutter on the middle and leg, Dravid moves outside leg and lofts this right between long on and deep mid wicket

10.2 Mathews to Dravid, no run, good yorker on the leg now, Dravid manages to jam it out

10.1 Mathews to Rahane, 1 run, slow cutter on the off, Rahane works it watchfully down to deep mid wicket

Angelo Mathews [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack

9.6 Mitchell Marsh to Rahane, 1 run, run out chance missed. Rahane worked this quite firmly in front of short fine leg. Dinda swooped in and had a shy at the striker's end with Dravid well short but misses

9.5 Mitchell Marsh to Dravid, 1 run, slightly slower now from Mitchell Marsh and very straight, Dravid plays it softly through square leg for one more

9.4 Mitchell Marsh to Dravid, FOUR, exquisite hitting this from Dravid. This was a good length delivery angled in, Dravid whips it neatly, does not bother to keep it down on the ground and the ball thuds into the square leg fence

9.3 Mitchell Marsh to Dravid, no run, full and nipping in, Dravid was looking to punch it on the offside but checks his shot and ends up defending

9.2 Mitchell Marsh to Rahane, 1 run, on the middle and leg, Rahane works it to short fine leg and Dravid is able to scamper across in time for a quick single

9.1 Mitchell Marsh to Rahane, FOUR, pace back on and Rahane likes it. He puts pressure on Mitchell Marsh right away by lofting this over mid off. Not timed as well as he would have liked but still get it the boundary

Mitchell Marsh, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

8.6 Yuvraj to Rahane, 1 run, pitched up finally, Rahane gets a good stride out to work it wide of long on

8.5 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, still on the shorter side from Yuvraj, Dravid leans back to punch it to sweeper cover

8.4 Yuvraj to Dravid, no run, sliding on outside off, Dravid punches it off the backfoot and straight to point

8.3 Yuvraj to Dravid, FOUR, slightly short again, Dravid moves outside the leg stump to make width and cuts it hard past point for a much needed boundary

8.2 Yuvraj to Dravid, no run, a little short again but Dravid does not manage to put it away. Hit straight to the fielder at extra cover

8.1 Yuvraj to Rahane, 1 run, dragged a little short and sliding on, Rahane backs away and pulls it without much timing to long on

It's time for a strategic break now.

7.6 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, tossed up on the leg now, Rahane works it through square leg and will have to be content with just one more

7.4 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, floated up on the middle and leg now, Rahane drives it firmly to long on

7.3 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, no run, slow and on the off. Rahane drops it in front of point and is sent back by Dravid as he looks for a quick single

7.2 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, 2 runs, slightly short and outside off, Rahane rocks back and cuts it wide of sweeper cover for a couple

7.1 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, no run, slow and outside off, Rahane punches it straight to the fielder at cover

6.6 Yuvraj to Rahane, 1 run, quick and sliding on outside off, Rahane punches it to cover. Taylor fumbles and allows them the single. No boundary off the 2nd over of spin too.

6.5 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, pitched up by Yuvraj again, Dravid whips it wide of long on but will get only one again

6.4 Yuvraj to Rahane, 1 run, on the fuller side again, Rahane pushes it out to long off and is comfortable with the single

6.3 Yuvraj to Dravid, 1 run, floated up and very slow, Dravid presses forward to drive it to long off

6.2 Yuvraj to Rahane, 1 run, sliding on from round the wicket, Rahane makes room but ends up punching it to long on

6.1 Yuvraj to Rahane, no run, floated up on the off now, Rahane presses forward and defends it to cover

Yuvraj Singh, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

5.6 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, sliding on again, Rahane punches it wide of extra cover for a sharp single. That's the first boundary free over of the innings. Not a bad start for Rahul Sharma.

5.5 Rahul Sharma to Dravid, 1 run, slightly short and outside off, Dravid gets right back to punch it down to long off

5.4 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, 1 run, full and on the leg now, Rahane works it gently along the ground through square leg

5.3 Rahul Sharma to Rahane, no run, quick and sliding on. Rahane gets back and punches it to cover

5.2 Rahul Sharma to Dravid, 1 run, floated up again, Dravid pushes forward to drive it down to long off

5.1 Rahul Sharma to Dravid, no run, tossed up on the off, Dravid stretches out to push it to mid on

Rahul Sharma, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack

Change of pace now. How will spin fare against these two?

4.6 Dinda to Dravid, 1 run, full and on the off, Dravid does not mind working this through mid wicket for just a single

4.5 Dinda to Dravid, FOUR, one classy drive follows another. These two batsmen are having a competition between themselves. This was on a good length and outside off, Dravid reaches out and drives it on the up through extra cover

4.4 Dinda to Dravid, no run, on the fuller side, Dravid does not press forward too much again, but reaches out with his bat to guide it to cover

4.3 Dinda to Rahane, 1 run, full and straight, Rahane stays in the crease and works it gently through mid wicket

4.2 Dinda to Rahane, no run, Dinda responds with a snorter. This short of length delivery climbs up steeply and catches Rahane on the glove before lobbing in the vacant gully area

4.1 Dinda to Rahane, FOUR, Rahane joins in now. Really full from Dinda, Rahane leans forward and drives it neatly through cover for another boundary

Ashok Dinda [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack

3.6 Mathews to Dravid, no run, pitched up and on the off. Dravid does not move out too much but reaches out and punches it to mid on

3.5 Mathews to Dravid, FOUR, Dravid looks like he's enjoying his batting a lot. This was on the middle and leg. Dravid rolls his wrists and flicks it firmly past short fine leg. Superb stuff

3.4 Mathews to Rahane, 1 run, outside off now, Rahane opens the face and guides it nicely down to third man for a single

3.3 Mathews to Dravid, leg byes, 1 run, on the middle and leg, Dravid misses the flick and is hit on the thigh

3.2 Mathews to Dravid, FOUR, Dravid continues to show his class. There was slight width on offer from Mathews. Dravid leans back and cuts it classily past point for another boundary

3.1 Mathews to Dravid, no run, on a good length and outside off, Dravid tries to force it on the offside but ends up chopping it to mid off

Angelo Mathews, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

@Abhay00 tweets: Rahul Dravid reminds me of Cheteshwar Pujara.

2.6 Bhuvneshwar to Rahane, no run, in the corridor of uncertainty again. Rahane walks out and blocks it watchfully

2.5 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, 1 run, Bhuvneshwar strays onto middle and leg. Dravid works it off his hips and down to deep square leg

2.4 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no run, on the off now, Dravid watches it closely and blocks

2.3 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, FOUR, Dravid makes the free hit count. Quite a nice little battle between these two now. Bhuvneshwar had bowled it full and Dravid clears the frontfoot to smash it straight down the ground

2.3 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no ball, that's quite cruel. Bhuvneshwar sees his delivery cutting Dravid in half. It was big in swinger. Then he turns back to see the umpire signal a no ball and a free hit

2.2 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no run, slightly fuller now, less swing too. Dravid gets forward and punches it to cover

2.1 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no run, on a good length and on the off. Dravid is squared up a touch as he presses forward to defend. Bhuvneshwar is certainly in very good rhythm

Bhuvneshwar has just one slip in place.

1.6 Dinda to Rahane, no run, on a good length and very straight. Rahane gets up tall now and blocks it down the track

1.5 Dinda to Dravid, 1 run, pitched up and outside off, Dravid drops this in front of point for a quick single

1.4 Dinda to Dravid, 2 runs, on the middle and leg now, Dravid stands up tall and works it off his hips down to fine leg. Bhuvneshwar puts in a big dive to save two

1.3 Dinda to Dravid, FOUR, very nicely done by Dravid there. This was on the fuller side, Dravid gets a good stride out and carves it nicely between extra cover and mid off. Top shot that

Tweet from @khatte_angoor: First ball duck?? Unmukt Chand to file lawsuit against Rajasthan for patent violation.

1.2 Dinda to Dravid, no run, on a good length and outside off, Dravid cuts but straight to cover point

1.1 Dinda to Dravid, no run, pitched up and outside off now, Dravid reaches out but does not offer a shot

Ashok Dinda, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

0.6 Bhuvneshwar to Rahane, FOUR, contrasting start and end to the over. Bhuvneshwar finishes with a full delivery on the pads. Rahane is in good form and he manages to tuck this past mid wicket quite elegantly

0.5 Bhuvneshwar to Rahane, 2 runs, pitched up again, Rahane works it through square leg and gets off the mark with an easy couple

0.3 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no run, more swing. Fantastic stuff from Bhuvneshwar. The in-swing this time, too good for even Dravid and he is struck in front of leg stump. It was going further down and the muted appeal is not upheld

0.2 Bhuvneshwar to Dravid, no run, good delivery first up. It was pitched up and swinging in. Dravid gets a good stride out to push it towards mid off

Rahul Dravid, right handed bat, comes to the crease

0.1 Bhuvneshwar to Janith Perera, out Lbw!! That gets the crowd going right away. Superb start from Bhuvneshwar. This was as plumb as it gets, Bhuvneshwar does not turn back to appeal but begins his celebrations. It pitched on middle, nipped in a touch and hurried onto Janith Perera. It struck him in front of middle and the umpire had little doubt about it. Janith Perera lbw b Bhuvneshwar 0(1)

Bhuvneshwar to Janith Perera, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Janith Perera and Rahane are at the crease. Janith Perera is on strike. Bhuvneshwar will open the attack

Watson: "I landed pretty heavily when I dropped that catch in the previous game and it will take me some time to recover. I am blessed to be playing with Rahul Dravid. He leads the team unbelievably well and he is a role model for the young Indian players in the team."

Mathews: "We have to get the ball rolling. Our performance last time was depressing. We have to put in an improved performance and we are ready. We have good players. We were a bit too cautious in the last two games. I was unsure what to do if we won the toss. We would have bowled first as the wicket seems a bit two-paced. Marlon Samuels and Manish Pandey are out. Aaron Finch and Yuvraj Singh are in the team"

Dravid: "We have played well as a team. It was nice to win a couple of close games. We are yet to play our best game. We have done our research on all the pitches. The pict has played a bit slow and low. The pitch has some grass and sheen and it will play a bit better. We will bat first. The pitch will get slower as the game progresses. It is still early days in the tournament and we need to be on a roll. There are a couple of niggles and injuries. Watson, Tait and Rahul Shukla miss out. Harmeet Singh, James Faulkner and Kushal Janith Perera are in the team."

Rajasthan Royals have won the toss and elected to bat

Pune will be boosted by the return of Yuvraj Singh who missed the previous match due to a sore back. Marlon Samuels will not feature for Pune due to a groin injury.

A warm welcome to one and all for the match between Pune and Rajasthan from Pune. Rajasthan have won their first two matches and they will look for a hat-trick today. Pune need some real inspiration with the bat and they will need to perform better in front of their home fans today. The toss and the teams are just 10 minutes away.

Preview:

Going by just the names on paper for each team, you would be forgiven if you believe that Pune are the team sitting 3rd and Rajasthan are the bottom placed team after the first week. Strangely though, as is common in cricket, the underdogs have come up trumps and start as unlikely favourites. Rahul Dravid's men have continued to surprise and have carried forward the traits left by Shane Warne.

Rajasthan will take Pune lightly only at their own peril. A team boasting of one of the most talented batting orders in the tournament needs just one game to turn things around. Dravid and co will be hoping that it does not happen to be against them.

Pune:

Team News: The hosts will be bolstered by the return of Yuvraj Singh, who missed their previous outing due to an injury. However, Marlon Samuels will be unavailable due to a groin injury. The form of openers Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa is also a cause of concern.

Hit: There is nothing much to say about Pune on this front. Pressed to pick a positive, Rahul Sharma's legspin has been a source of limited joy. The spinner has had a tumultuous year after being involved in an alleged drug abuse case. On the field he has quietly slipped back into the role of picking wickets and keeping things tight.

Miss: Manish Pandey came into the spotlight as one of India's brightest batting talents but has faded away rather quickly since. It might not be long before Pune try out other options if Pandey fails to live up to his promise. If the previous matches are any indication then it looks highly unlikely that the youngster will be given a lot of games over the season.

Team form:

With two losses in two games, Pune have no form to show for. They will be very eager to turn things around though and will have to carry that forward into the game.

They have looked very sharp on the field and the presence of a lot of utility cricketers led by the affable Rahul Dravid has helped Rajasthan immensely so far. They will be keen on continuing their good work.

In form player: Kevon Cooper With 6 wickets in the first two games and for his ability to deliver the goods at the death, when it matters the most, Kevon Cooper has been a steal for Rajasthan. The West Indian has proved that his exploits last year was not just a flash in the pan. He has been one of the unlikeliest heroes so far of the Indian T20 league.

Hit: Stuart Binny has shown a penchant for the big hits. Rahul Dravid's Karnataka state-mate has given some much needed fire-power for Rajasthan in the middle order. Add his abilities with the ball to this and Roger Binny's son has all that it takes to become a star in his own right in this format.

Miss: Shane Watson has played only one game in this season but his batting against Kolkata inspired no confidence. Australia's newest Test captain seemed jittery and a pale shadow of what he was when he first burst into the scenes in the Indian T20 league. He too will be searching for that one good innings that could turn his fortunes around.

Team form: Having won both their games so far, Rajasthan have the confidence and momentum behind them.

CB's pick: Going by current form and past form, Rajasthan begin as overwhelming favourites. They have won two on a trot this year and have won all the 3 previous meeting between the two teams. That they have done it without any contribution from their most influential player, Watson, makes them only doubly dangerous. For once they will be shedding their tags of underdogs and will start the game on par, or even slightly ahead.